Raiding male baboon from Smitswinkel Bay euthanised
08 April 2021
The City of Cape Town wants to inform residents that a raiding male baboon from Smitswinkel Bay was humanely euthanised earlier today, 8 April 2021.
The male baboon left his natal Plateau Road troop in December 2018 and successfully joined the Smitswinkel Bay troop soon after.
Unfortunately, in the latter part of last year the baboon started raiding occupied and unoccupied houses in the Murdoch Valley area and beyond.
Between 1 October 2020 and 28 February 2021, the male baboon entered the urban area on more than 40 occasions, and in February 2021 alone he entered houses on more than 10 occasions while residents were inside.
A splinter group of females and juveniles from the Smitswinkel Bay troop started following the male baboon into the urban area over the past several weeks. This behaviour put the whole splinter group in danger as well.
Over the past few months the local community has been engaged extensively on how to baboon-proof their properties, and manage waste in an attempt to deter the raiding behaviour. Attention was also given to reducing all possible food attractants, among which:
- the permanent removal of bins, and closure of braai facilities at the picnic site at Miller’s Point
- recommendations to the local boat and ski-club on how to reduce food attractants at their facilities
- discussions with local restaurant owners about waste management and baboon-proofing of kitchens
Residents also joined the ‘Chacma Challenge’ – a community-led initiative to provide free baboon-proofing of waste bins to secure waste and reduce food attractants in the area.
These actions did not succeed in deterring the persistent and continuous raiding behaviour, unfortunately.
Baboon rangers’ attempts to deter the male baboon from entering Murdoch Valley had very limited success. Despite reallocating more resources, and increasing community engagements about waste management, the baboon had increasing and significant direct contact with residents.
Of great concern was that he could contract and spread Covid-19 from close contact with residents.
In the interest of the safety of the Smitswinkel Bay troop, and the safety of local residents, it was recommended to CapeNature and SANParks that the raiding baboon be euthanised. He was at risk of being injured or killed through inhumane methods due to spending more and more time in the urban area, while also leading a splinter group into Murdoch Valley.
CapeNature, who supported the removal of this baboon, issued the permit, and the City can confirm that an independent veterinarian assisted with the procedure that took place earlier today.
It is believed that the general welfare of the Smitswinkel Bay troop will increase over time, as the splinter group returns to their natural habitat to forage for food.
End
Published by:
City of Cape Town, Media Office
